Worley became quite the threat last year in the Red Raider passing game, and as a 6-foot-4 senior he will look to become even more involved. He’s a huge match-up problem for opposing teams, and his pass catching ability has given him the nickname, “Jodell Beckham III”. Rothenbuhler was one of the very best to wear the red and white in the decade of the 80’s. Although he played as a more traditional tight end, with his hand in the dirt, he was able to make big plays down the field for Bellingham.

After playing an independent schedule the past two seasons, Coach Ted Flint has his Red Raiders back on track and ready to compete in the strong 2A Northwest Conference.

“The last two years have worked really well for us,” said Flint. “We’ve been able to get more kids to turn out, and now we have a lot of seniors and juniors that have at least a year’s worth of varsity experience.”

Nick Knuston

Returning at quarterback is junior Nick Knutson. Last year he attempted every one of his team’s attempts, completing 55% for 1134 yards and 12 touchdowns. “He looked really good at practice,” Flint said. “He’s also a great kid and a great leader.” Sophomore Rand Bentley passes the immediate eye test (6-foot-6 191 pounds) and will be Knutson’s back up.

Dakota Johanson

Getting the bulk of the carries in the Red Raiders’ spread offense will be senior Dakota Johanson and junior Connor Wallace. Johnson ran for 215 yards and four touchdowns last season, while Wallace totaled 108 yards on the ground averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Sophomore Eli Kongshaug will also get his chances in the backfield as well.

Ethan Fields

Bellingham returns a great pair of wide receivers in Ethan Fields and Joseph Worley. They led the team with 23 receptions a piece in 2015. Fields, a junior, had 247 yards and four touchdowns while Worley, a senior, had 218 yards and three scores. Other receivers expected to make a big difference in 2016 will include seniors Kelton Connors, Nich Smith and Levi DeYoung, and sophomore Spencer Lee.

Nicholas Oesterling

The Red Raiders return most of their offensive linemen from last year, and have a bevy of players to choose from up front. Aiden Helming, Hunter Bills and Christian Butenschoen are competing for the center spot, while Brahm vanWoerden, Jade Dudoward and Tevon Lautenbach are competing for the two guard spots. The tackle spots will be solidified with senior Koa Hanks and junior Nicholas Oesterling.

Aiden Helming

Last season marked the first time the Bellingham defense shut out an opponent since 2011, and it will look for more of the same in 2016. The interior defensive line will include Oesterling, Dudoward, Helming, Bills and Butenschoen. Playing on the end, or as stand-up outside linebackers, will be a mixture of Connors, Hanks, Worley and Lautenbach.

Brahm vanWoerden

The inside linebackers will be stout with Johanson and vanWoerden. Smith, Lee and DeYoung will be on the edge playing corner back while Fields and Wallace will be playing back as safeties. Fields proved to be a big playmaker on defense last season, scoring two defensive touchdowns.

Levi DeYoung

Worley returns as the kicker after booting 25 extra points last year. Knutson will handle the punting duties with Fields, DeYoung and Lee returning kicks.

It’s hard to know what to expect out of the 2016 Red Raiders after not playing in the NWC the past two season, but Coach Flint will have his players prepared. They won’t go into games thinking they will lose, they’ll believe that they can win, and I believe they will be greatly improved this year.